Tips To Make Your Windows Last For Years

Windows are an important investment in your home, with many functions, including protecting your home, regulating its temperature and impacting its resale value. New, high quality windows are not cheap, and for good reason, they add a lot of value to your home. If you have just purchased new windows, or are thinking about doing so in the future, below are some tips to make sure that your windows, current or new, last for years.

Steam Clean

The absolute best way to remove the dirt and grime that accumulates in window tracks is steam cleaning. This dirt and grime can rot away at your window frames, especially if they are made of wood, so an investment in a vacuum steam cleaner will pay dividends by extending the life of your windows.

Check Regularly

You need to check your windows regularly to ensure that they are holding up well and remain structurally sound. When and where they are not, you need to address the problem immediately. This means not only keeping them free of dirt and debris, but making sure that they are properly sealed, that something hasn’t damaged the glass during a storm and ensuring that the caulking is properly in place.

Check for Condensation

It is advisable to check regularly for condensation between the window panes, and if condensation is found, to have the window repaired or removed before the problem gets worse. This will go a long way towards extending the useful life of your windows.

Be Gentle

While windows are certainly meant to stand up to the elements, especially if you live in a harsh climate, they are not invincible. You need to be careful with your windows, opening and closing them carefully, never wrenching on them if they appear to be stuck from the cold.

Waterproofing

If you opt for wood frame windows, it’s a good idea to then get them waterproofed, especially if the climate you live in guarantees they will see a large amount of rain and/or snow every year. One of the main reasons that wood windows don’t last is because they rot away due to water damage.

The state of your windows says a lot about the state of the rest of your home. If you are trying to sell your home and your windows look like they are falling apart, people will often make the assumption that the rest of the house is falling apart as well, even when it’s not the case. Incorporate the above five tips into your window care regimen and make sure that you are getting the most possible out of your windows.